Episode 178: Supporting Families by Parents Standing Together (featuring Kim Freudenberg)

In this episode of the Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast, we sit down with Kim Freudenberg, founder of Parents Standing Together, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families affected by youth gambling addiction.Kim shares her family's personal journey after discovering her son's gambling addiction, which began at just 11 years old through video game skins and online gambling opportunities hidden within gaming environments. What started as a seemingly harmless gaming activity eventually evolved into a serious gambling problem, highlighting how accessible gambling has become for today's youth.Together, we explore how gambling is increasingly woven into video games, sports culture, online platforms, and social media, often exposing young people to gambling-related behaviors years before they encounter alcohol or other substances. Kim discusses the warning signs parents should watch for, the stigma families experience, and the critical need for earlier conversations about gambling risks.The conversation also examines the impact gambling addiction has on parents, siblings, and entire families, while highlighting the importance of support groups, education, and compassionate intervention. Kim explains how Parents Standing Together is working to provide resources, advocacy, and community support for families navigating these challenges.Whether you're a parent, educator, coach, clinician, or someone interested in youth behavioral health, this episode offers valuable insights into one of the fastest-growing and least-discussed public health concerns affecting young people today.About the GuestBio: Kim Freudenberg is President of Parents Standing Together. After discovering that her 19 year-old son was struggling with gambling, Kim committed to learning about gambling disorder and its impact on families. In early 2025, she organized a peer support group for parents, which grew into Parents Standing Together, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about youth gambling and supporting families affected by gambling harm. Kim holds the International Gambling Recovery Specialist certification and is deeply committed to education, connection, and prevention to protect young people and support parents.Links:parentsstandingtogether.orghello@parentsstandingtogether.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-freudenberg-igrs-a7a43326b/Support the showThank you for listening to this episode of Talking Addiction & Recovery Podcast.To learn more about the podcast visit www.andrewjschreier.com To inquire being a guest on the podcast or sponsorship opportunities you can e-mail [email protected] podcast is also a platform for FREE continuing education.  Licensed and certified professionals are able to listen to select episodes at no cost.  Listen to an episode.  Take a quiz.  Complete an eval.  Earn a certificate.  Learn more at www.andrewjschreier.com/continuing-educationTalking Addiction & Recovery Podcast is the follow-up to the book "Addiction & Recovery" by author and clinician Andrew J. Schreier.  This podcast explores discussions regarding important issues related to addiction and recovery.  Information you learn here is not typical of what you will find in academic textbooks and resources; and comes from the experiences of a clinical supervisor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and licensed professional counselor and the work with individuals and others involved in this field.  Listen as guests join the show and cover a wide range of topics looking to educate individuals, families, communities, organizations, institutions, mental health professionals, educators, and anyone else impacted by addiction and recovery.  Content is not intended to be treatment and is not affiliated with any specific group.